The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate



Theresa only met Brandon once, and Sophia knew about it.

But she didn't expect such a little kid to remember that meeting.

Brandon seemed to sense something from afar, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, then he slowly turned around and looked toward Sophia.

Theresa, on the other end of the phone, saw Brandon looking back and excitedly waved at him.

Little did she know that Brandon, outside the camera's view, couldn't see her.

After waving and not seeing any response from Brandon, she brought her face closer to the phone screen, her eyes wide and round with confusion.

"Mom, mom? Why isn't Handsome Uncle paying attention to me?"

Her tiny finger poked at Brandon's face on the screen with a puzzled expression.

Sophia gave her a complex look, then turned her gaze back to Brandon, who was still frowning in their direction.

Brandon's brows were locked tight, and his eyes resting on Sophia were calm and profound.

Sophia didn't dare to speak, aware that every word she said to Theresa might be deciphered by Brandon from the movements of her lips.

Susan was right there beside Theresa, recording the video call between Theresa and Sophia on her phone.

She didn't hear Sophia's response, but she saw Brandon on the screen frown slightly before standing up and walking toward Sophia. Susan quickly scooped up Theresa, who was practically glued to the phone, and gently explained, "Because he hasn't seen you yet." She pointed at the rear camera of the phone and continued, "He hasn't seen you, Theresa, so he doesn't know you're talking to him." Theresa looked up at her, somewhat understanding yet perplexed as to why she could see him while he could only see the dark lens of the camera. "Theresa, how about we call mommy later, okay?" Susan asked softly while holding her, "Staring at the phone too long will make your eyes hurt." Theresa got that.

Giving her young age, her mom and godmom had always limited her screen time.

She obediently nodded, "Okay."

Susan turned and gave a knowing look to Grace, the childcare nanny standing by. Grace immediately came over and took Theresa away. Grace was the tall and heavyset woman Brandon had seen with Theresa in Wye City.

She was a lady from Susan's grandma's village, whose husband was abusive and an alcoholic. A few years back, unable to bear it any longer, she left home. Hearing that money was easier to earn abroad, she followed some acquaintances from her factory days and went overseas to work, doing mainly manual labor due to her lack of higher education.

Susan had thought of her when Sophia was about to give birth.

Neither she nor Sophia had experience with children, Sophia had her studies and work, Susan was also busy with her job, and they really needed an experienced nanny.

Susan grew up under her grandma's care, living there for a long time, and had always been on good terms with Grace. However, after going to university and starting work, they lost touch.

She remembered Grace as a kind and sturdy woman, hardworking, and with experience raising three kids of her own. So, through a cousin, Susan got in touch with Grace and brought her over to help with the baby.

Given the presence of the Crawley family's hotel in the area and wanting to avoid unnecessary complications, Susan and Sophia decided not to publicize Theresa's lineage. If Grace took the child out and someone asked, they would just say she was her sister's kid, no need to stress who's who.noveldrama

Hence, at the restaurant encounter with Brandon, Grace had reflexively said the child was her sister's when faced with Brandon's confusion. Over the two years, the three had indeed become like sisters.

Originally, it was Susan and Grace who took Theresa to the restaurant, planning to meet with Sophia after her shift.

Susan drove Grace and Theresa there first.

While Susan parked, Grace and Theresa went in first, not expecting that Theresa would wriggle free and run ahead, tumbling right in front of Brandon.

Susan, just parking the car outside, witnessed the scene.

Thus, she later had to call in a favor from a friend to smooth things over.

Brandon had never met Grace nor the friend who helped out, and Theresa had been prepped by Grace not to call out or make a scene when she saw her mother because mommy was busy.

Being an exceptionally well-behaved child, she complied without question but didn't understand, so when she saw Sophia walk by without a glance, she just curiously and confusedly watched her pass without calling out.

That first encounter ended up going off without a hitch, luckily.

Now, watching Brandon approach step by step on camera, Susan wasn't panicking.

She sat down in front of the bookshelf in the study, watching Brandon come closer until his body completely blocked the camera.

He now stood in front of Sophia, his gaze shifting from the phone in her hand to her face filled with mixed emotions, and then to the phone again.

When he looked at her again, he reached out his hand, not saying a word but clearly asking for the phone.

Sophia looked at him, remained silent, and hesitantly turned the phone toward him.

On the other end of the phone, Susan greeted cheerily, "Hello, handsome, long time no see."

Brandon's gaze shifted to her on the video, "Long time no see."